Fig. 93. ECTOCAEPUS LITTORALIS. 
Colour, Olive-brown, or olive-green ; not unfrequently rust-coloured. 
Substance. Soft, though coarse, when young ; rigid when old. 
Character of Frond. Dense, interwoven tufts of jointed threads (^filaments'). Filaments harsh 
when old ; much and irregularly branched. Main stems often entangled ; the lesser 
divisions free. Branches alternate, on each side a stem ; branchlets often opposite. 
Measurement. From 6 to 12 inches long. 
Fructification. Formed in the substance of the branchlets ; a portion of which becomes con- 
verted into fruit-bearing, pod-like formations {silicules)., causing dark oblong 
swellings ; the tips of the branchlet appearing beyond. (See figure.) 
Habitat. All round our coasts. Parasitical on the larger algge, &c. Between tide-marks. 
Very common. 
Fig. 94. ECTOCAEPUS LONGIFEUCTUS. 
Colour. Olive-green. 
Substance. Soft, though coarse. 
Character of Frond. Large tufts of jointed threads Filaments robust ; excessively 
branched. Branches mostly opposite ; the lesser ones set with short, thorn-like, 
opposite (rarely, alternate) branchlets. 
Measurement. Six inches long. 
Fructification. Formed in the substance of the branchlets ; a portion of which becomes 
converted into fruit-bearing, pod-like formations {silicides)^ causing dark, oblong 
swellings, extending to the tips. (See figure.) 
Habitat. Orkney. Parasitical on algse between tide-marks. Rare. 
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